In a case that has stunned India’s digital landscape, Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana, has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, unraveling a chilling tale of espionage hidden behind the glossy veneer of YouTube vlogs. Known for her channel “Travel with Jo,” which boasts 3.85 lakh subscribers, Malhotra is accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives, raising alarms about the weaponization of social media influencers in modern warfare. Currently in five-day police custody, she faces intense scrutiny from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Haryana Police, as investigators probe her ties to a Pakistani High Commission official and her suspicious travels to Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh.
Malhotra’s journey from a spirited content creator to an alleged spy began in April 2023, when she first visited Pakistan under the guise of attending the 324th Baisakhi festival, a significant Sikh pilgrimage. Facilitated by Harkirat Singh, a coordinator for Sikh jathas (pilgrim groups), her trip was initially framed as a cultural exploration. However, her 30-day stay—far exceeding the 10-day festival—drew suspicion. During this period, she allegedly met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official in Delhi, who was expelled on May 13, 2025, for espionage. Authorities claim Danish introduced Malhotra to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), including individuals like Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, whose contact she saved as “Jatt Randhawa” to evade detection.
Malhotra’s YouTube videos from Pakistan, with titles like “Indian Girl in Pakistan” and “Exploring Lahore,” portrayed the country’s hospitality and culture in glowing terms, raising eyebrows among investigators. These vlogs, showcasing Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar and the Katas Raj Temple, are now suspected to be part of a Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) strategy to use influencers for propaganda. “Her content downplayed geopolitical tensions, aiming to sway India’s youth,” said a senior IB official, speaking anonymously. Her videos from sensitive Indian locations, including Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Dal Lake, are under forensic analysis to determine if they aided the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which killed 26 people and triggered India’s Operation Sindoor.
The investigation has taken a broader turn, scrutinizing Malhotra’s international travels. After returning from Pakistan in 2023, she visited China, Bangladesh, Nepal, the UAE, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bhutan. Her 2024 China trip, arranged shortly after a Pakistan visit, is particularly concerning, with authorities probing whether it was orchestrated by her Pakistani handlers. A video from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi shows her requesting a Chinese visa, hinting at coordinated travel plans. Her lavish lifestyle—first-class flights, luxury hotels, and high-end dining—has also raised red flags, as her income from YouTube and sponsorships appears insufficient to fund such extravagance. “Her financial transactions don’t add up,” said Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, noting ongoing audits of her bank accounts.
Malhotra’s arrest is part of a larger crackdown, with 11 individuals detained across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh for spying. Among them are Guzala, a 32-year-old widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, allegedly lured by Danish with promises of marriage, and Arman from Nuh, Haryana, accused of supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistani operatives. The network, spanning vulnerable women, students, and app developers, highlights a disturbing ISI tactic: exploiting emotional and financial weaknesses through encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Malhotra’s deleted chats with Danish, uncovered via phone forensics, suggest she shared confidential details, though she lacked direct access to military secrets.
The case has sparked a national debate about the role of influencers in shaping public narratives. Malhotra’s videos, which garnered millions of views, were allegedly crafted to promote Pakistan’s image while subtly gathering intelligence. Her 2024 Kashmir vlogs, including a Srinagar-Banihal train ride, are being examined for links to the Pahalgam attack, though no direct connection has been confirmed. Her visits to strategic sites like Pathankot, Nathu La Pass, and Puri’s Jagannath Temple, where she met another YouTuber now under scrutiny, have intensified concerns. “Influencers are the new frontier of espionage,” said cybersecurity expert Anil Sharma, warning that digital platforms are ripe for exploitation.
Politically, the scandal has fueled tensions. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal called for stricter regulations on influencers, arguing that unchecked content creation risks national security. “What began as creativity has become a tool for manipulation,” he said, citing Malhotra’s case as a wake-up call. The Congress, meanwhile, has urged a broader probe into foreign-funded networks, while the Aam Aadmi Party emphasized cybersecurity reforms. The timing, amid India-Pakistan ceasefire talks brokered by the U.S. on May 10, adds diplomatic complexity, with analysts questioning whether such arrests signal India’s resolve to counter cross-border threats.
Malhotra’s family, particularly her father, Haris Malhotra, has defended her, claiming she was framed. “She traveled to shoot videos, not to spy,” he told reporters, alleging police overreach in seizing family phones and passports. However, investigators remain unmoved, citing her evasive responses and deleted chats as evidence of guilt. Her diary, containing 11 pages about Pakistan visits, and encrypted messages with ISI handler Ali Hasan, who asked about “undercover agents” at the Attari border, have deepened suspicions. “She was being cultivated as a long-term asset,” said an NIA official, suggesting her role was to shape narratives rather than access classified data.
The broader implications are sobering. India’s influencer economy, projected to reach $350 million by 2027, thrives on authenticity, yet Malhotra’s case reveals its vulnerabilities. The ISI’s alleged recruitment of women like Malhotra and Guzala, often through emotional manipulation, underscores a gendered dimension to espionage. “Vulnerable individuals are easy targets,” said psychologist Priya Desai, noting that promises of fame or security can sway influencers in a competitive digital space. The case also highlights gaps in India’s visa vetting, as Malhotra’s VIP treatment in Pakistan—arranged by operative Ali Ahwan—went unnoticed.
As the probe widens, authorities are questioning other influencers, including a Puri-based YouTuber who traveled with Malhotra to Pakistan. Her devices are under forensic analysis, with early findings revealing coordination cues and pro-Pakistan content. The government is considering stricter social media monitoring, though critics warn of stifling free speech. “We need balance, not surveillance,” said media analyst Rajesh Gupta. For now, Malhotra remains in custody, her once-vibrant vlogs now evidence in a high-stakes investigation.